Narrative:

Had gotten a briefing and believe I was told an operations vehicle was at the far approach end of runway 13/31. We where in a south configuration which makes runway 13/31 inactive and only used for operational needs. Air carrier X was assigned runway 20C and requested runway 1 for operations. I approved his requested and then coordinated with local that I was taxing to a previously inactive runway. I did a quick scan of 13/31 and did not observe a vehicle at the time. We then activated the runway and local gave take off clearance. A few minutes after takeoff; operations called me on ground and inquired about the departure. I then remembered operations had been doing some work. The runway is over 11;000 feet long; and where the vehicle was at; is actually the farthest point from the tower on the field. I then used my binoculars to see where the vehicle was and because of the distance and terrain; I could barley see the top of the vehicle. At the time of departure air carrier X rotated with more than 5;000 feet remaining and the vehicle was just off the approach end of the runway which made it a none factor. I then advised operations to advise me when he was complete and clear. The vehicle had been doing his inspection for over an hour on the runway and because of where he was and not having spoken with him in quite some time my initial scan did not see him. It luckily was not a factor and will make sure to do a scan with the binoculars to see the far point of this runway. Because this was not conveyed to be such a thorough inspection I believe the runway should have been officially closed due to the amount of time. I also believe ZZZ would benefit tremendously with surface surveillance because of the terrain and distances from the tower to some key points on the field. We have a more than normal amount of vehicle traffic due to such factors as bird activity and other wildlife on the field along with other multiple groups of vehicles crossings.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Controller described a likely runway separation event when forgetting that an airport vehicle was still on the runway end when departure traffic was cleared for takeoff; the reporter recommending vehicle procedures.

Narrative: Had gotten a briefing and believe I was told an operations vehicle was at the far approach end of Runway 13/31. We where in a South configuration which makes Runway 13/31 inactive and only used for operational needs. Air Carrier X was assigned Runway 20C and requested Runway 1 for operations. I approved his requested and then coordinated with Local that I was taxing to a previously inactive runway. I did a quick scan of 13/31 and did not observe a vehicle at the time. We then activated the runway and Local gave take off clearance. A few minutes after takeoff; operations called me on ground and inquired about the departure. I then remembered operations had been doing some work. The runway is over 11;000 feet long; and where the vehicle was at; is actually the farthest point from the Tower on the field. I then used my binoculars to see where the vehicle was and because of the distance and terrain; I could barley see the top of the vehicle. At the time of departure Air Carrier X rotated with more than 5;000 feet remaining and the vehicle was just off the approach end of the runway which made it a none factor. I then advised operations to advise me when he was complete and clear. The vehicle had been doing his inspection for over an hour on the runway and because of where he was and not having spoken with him in quite some time my initial scan did not see him. It luckily was not a factor and will make sure to do a scan with the binoculars to see the far point of this runway. Because this was not conveyed to be such a thorough inspection I believe the runway should have been officially closed due to the amount of time. I also believe ZZZ would benefit tremendously with surface surveillance because of the terrain and distances from the Tower to some key points on the field. We have a more than normal amount of vehicle traffic due to such factors as bird activity and other wildlife on the field along with other multiple groups of vehicles crossings.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.